This book started off well enough for me, and I was very intrigued by the way the storyline turned from mystery to sci-fi/Stephen King-esq to love story to "detective investigates" all against the backdrop of Lovecraft's books. However, it dragged on a bit in the middle and went back and forward over the same story for quite a while. At this point, the plotline began to lose my interest unfortunately and I did not finish it. An interesting premise, however, and had the storyline moved faster I feel it would have had more of an opportunity to keep my attention.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Ms Kepnes for the opportunity to review Providence and provide an honest opinion.

A missing person, super powers and a love triangle “I am Providence” follows the teenage characters of Chloe and Jon who are close friends. Jon is often picked on by love rival Carrick. Carrick is portrayed as a macho character that bullies Jon. The book starts out with the feeling of a YA fiction novel and develops and changes as the novel unfolds and the characters age.
When Jon goes missing the story seems very cut and dry. His teacher abducts him at thirteen; Chloe his friend is distraught and eventually starts a relationship with Carrick. Four years after the abduction Jon is found in the local Mall and at this point the plotline seems over before it starts. The book then has a twist as Jon has very few memories of his four year abduction but feels very strong like a superhero.
The book I felt was a slow burner it dwelled too much on the characters feelings and this took priority over the plot line. Roughly a third of the way through the Novel a new Character “Eggs” was added into the story. I found it difficult to get into this character as the other two main characters were already established. There were diamonds scattered throughout the book in metaphors and descriptions.
The Author had a strong affiliation with HP Lovecraft and drew many similarities with the plotline throughout the book this was referenced throughout. As a reader with no prior knowledge of Lovecraft I felt very much out of the loop and disengaged with these references.

Providence, was probably my most anticipated book release for this year. I got understandably nervous when reviews started appearing of many people not enjoying this novel, so I lowered my expectations before going into this, which I do think really helped me enjoy this book. This is totally different to You, so be warned of that fact before going into this novel. I'd say the best word to describe this book for the first third or so of this book is 'weird'. I found it incredibly bizarre, yet also highly addictive. The story follows a guy named Jon, and at the beginning of the novel he is a young teenage boy with barely any friends. His only real friend, is a girl named Chloe, who does have other friends, but still doesn't really fit in with people as easily as she would want to. Chloe's world comes crashing down when one day Jon disappears on his way to school. She doesn't know what to do without Jon, and meanwhile no one knows where he is or what has happened to him. The reader does know though, thanks to the alternate perspectives that we get within the story. We find out that Jon is abducted and kept in a medically induced coma for four years. During these four years, Chloe tries her best to get on with her life, fit in properly with people at school and move on. Just as everyone has got used to Jon being gone, he is released from his hidden hell. He is different now though, and takes some time to discover just what this means for him.

About a third of the way into the narrative, we get a third perspective to read from. This is a character named Eggs, who is a detective investigating something that no one else seems to have spotted as being abnormal or criminal. This leads his path to cross with Jon and Chloe in unexpected ways. At first I wasn't really sure about Eggs, or how this would all work out. I ended up loving his chapters though, which I found insightful and really helped flesh out characters and also develop the story. I think Eggs also helps the reader to question more about morals, and turns almost into a character study.

I soon developed a love for all the main characters in this novel. While I didn't always agree with their personalities, I understood their decisions all the same. For example, Chloe is obsessed with Jon, and struggles to move on with her life at multiple points, yet it makes sense and you can imagine why she would feel that way.

Despite this book being very different to You, I found it still easy to distinguish as a Caroline Kepnes novel. There is something about her writing that can suck me into any story and make me feel for characters, no matter how bad a person they are. Kepnes has such a distinct writing voice, and this book felt like coming home for me. I do think it was important for me to lower my expectations before going into this though, and even at that, it still didn't reach the same levels as You, for me at least. All the same, I enjoyed this journey very much, and shed a tear here or there, or had a lump in my throat at other points. I honestly found some parts of this novel totally heartbreaking, especially some animal scenes. If you are an animal lover, especially dogs and cats, there are some difficult scenes to read in this book, which feel totally necessary, but are also heartbreaking and worth keeping in mind. If you are a fan of thrillers, and aren't against reading one that is totally different and 'out there', then this may be the book for you, and I highly recommend it.

Providence by Caroline Kepnes is the story of Jon who disappeared one day on his way to school. He wakes up four years later in a cellar and makes his way home.
Jon has changed, not only in his appearance but in his interactions with other people.
I have enjoyed reading previous books by this author but unfortunately this one did not hold my interest.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK Fiction.for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a story. Original, disturbing and heartbreaking on many levels. A story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.

As a huge fan of Caroline Kepnes i couldn't wait to read this and i wasn't disappointed. It was so different to her last two books but just as good. She is such an amazing writer and i enjoy the way she weaves a story immensely. The time jumps in the story can be a little hard to get your head round at first but it doesn't diminish the enjoyment of the book.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster UK and Caroline Kepnes for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of Providence.
What a concept! I loved this book. I thought the storyline was well thought out and fast paced and keeps the reader engrossed to the very last page. Ms Kepnes just gets better and better.
Definitely well worth a read.

This was really absorbing, different from her last books in some ways but full of the same intelligence and wit. If you are expecting a thriller then it might not be for you, it’s more of a romantic horror, which really worked for me. Can’t wait for what CK does next.

“We’re all masters of our fate. But sometimes you gotta step in, you gotta play a part in someone else’s fate.”

Words cannot express just how enjoyable this book was. Told through the eyes of three main characters, it has a little of everything: thrill, suspense, heartbreak, romance, sci-fi, and a whole lot of mystery.

Jon was kidnapped one day on his way to school. 4 years later he returns, inexplicably changed and with no memory of his time away. The only thing he does know is that strange things happen to people in close proximity to him. So he leaves to protect the ones he loves, but...

“Being alive is nothing without being able to live.”

Chloe has tried to get on with her life, to adjust to losing Jon over and over again. But every step forward for her, a career in art, a love life, results in pulling away from the life she really wants.

“You don’t lose a person all at once. You lose them in parts.”

Eggs is a detective towards the end of his career, he knows something in his town is wrong, and sets out to follow his ‘gut instinct’ while ignoring his very real gut issues, and the struggles he has at home.

“Good police work is math. It’s also speculation.”

The premise alone is what compelled me to read this book, but having read ‘You’,
I knew the quality of story to expect from Caroline Kepnes, and I was not disappointed. Providence is totally original and totally absorbing.

Thank you to Caroline Kepnes, Simon and Schuster UK, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

*Thank you to the author and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

3 stars

I was a major fan of Kepnes' "You," for the story but more so for her writing style - I've never read anything like it before and it's utterly captivating. So, of course, I was thrilled to see that she was bringing out another book set outside of the "You" world so I could see if her writing stayed the same or if it was a one-off to suit her psychopath, Joe.

I'm happy to announce it's not a one-off, and once again I was absorbed right back into the compelling mind that is Caroline Kepnes.

You know just how great of an author she is? I was pretty bored throughout the entirety of this book, but I was compelled to keep reading because of her.

I would have dnf'd this downer if it wasn't for Kepnes' writing that never fails to keep me craving more.

Jon and Chloe are best friends, on the verge of something more, when Jon is kidnapped by his Lovecraft obsessed teacher. Four years later, he wakes up from a 'coma,' (view spoiler) and returns home, only to find that he is not the same Jon anymore. His heart kills. When he feels too much of a certain emotion for someone, they get hurt or die.

So he runs away to protect those he loves, from that love. Unfortunately, Chloe isn't willing to let John go, and her whole life is spent on the what ifs, the whys and how she can make everything better between herself and Jon and finally be together, as they had always wanted. But being with Jon would kill her.... And so ensues a very melancholy journey of love found and lost. Seriously, don't read this when you're down. There's nothing light about it.

Then we have Eggs (Yep) - the detective, obsessed with finding a link between all of the sudden 'heart attacks' going on. He's on to Jon, but when he figures out the truth, will he still be so hell-bent on bringing him down? Read it to find out!

I liked this book. Loved the writing. I was bored at many moments during the book, and it's just so dang sad. If you think about it too much, how Jon basically has to live the rest of his life without love or human contact of any kind... I can't. He also has the ability to heal when he is hurt, so I need clarification on if he is also immortal? That's even worse... However, I'm glad that I came along for this unique ride.

I need something uplifting to read now, please.

15

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Liz Barnsley rated a book liked it

2 minutes ago

Providence

by Caroline Kepnes (Goodreads Author)

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Providence was an interesting read for me but perhaps one that didn't hit on all cylinders. Also I think calling it a thriller is a stretch to be honest. It's more science fiction with a hint of horror wrapped up in a psychological thriller type narrative. I'm not sure it knows exactly what it wants to be.

Having said that it was entertaining and randomly emotional with our pair of star crossed lovers parted by a mysterious power that kills.

It's a 3 way point of view with occasional random switches of timeline which I found added to the enjoyment of it but might be a bit annoying if you like your stories utterly linear.

I felt for the pair and for the man obsessed with finding the truth behind seemingly natural deaths. It twists and turns a bit then ends with a whimper rather than a roar but was ultimately quite satisfying in many ways.

Like I said. Quite an odd read but very different which was what saved it for this reader.